Hi Guys

Well I surprised myself big time.  I decided to block up the dog kennel Nipper would not used no matter how we coaxed in he ran out again.  So I went down the bottom of the garden brought up brick by brick and then made up the cement. Never did this before but thought I have nothing to lose.  I bricked up the first day, the second I fill some of the gaps then today I finsihed the cementing. When it is dry I will rub off the bits.

Now I am very pleased with my attempt, I won't make a bricklayer but hey it's a good first attempt even if I say so myself.


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Well done Berni do I hear a career change

Well done you!

Little tip for you....don't wait until the cement is dry to get rid of the ridges and high bits. Use the edge of your trowel or even better, a straight edged piece of wood about a metre or so long...keeping one or preferably both ends of the wood on the original wall, work it rapidly back and forth as you move downwards.
That way the job will match into the existing wall really well...also, any low areas can be filled with some new mix (tomorrow) and by repeating the exercise.

You will find that all of the above can be done about an hour after the initial laying and plastering.

Trust me...it works!

In case you're wondering, this technique is called screeding... it works on horizontal and vertical surfaces and almost every angle in between.

Guys will do that tomorrow Bazz

Here it is all nicely drying I took off some bits as you said Bazz but going to put decrative stone like the villa already has on at some point so will leave it as it is. I am very proud of my building work Totally surprised myself too.

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That looks better...and will give a good surface for the stone, later on.

justbazz wrote:

That looks better...and will give a good surface for the stone, later on.

Thanks Bazz today we started to build a kind of wood storage place with wood from the old granny house. The wood arrived this afternoon so will leave in the garden then when we have made something that will store it everyone will come and stack it with us. Too hot now to do anything hopefully the cemented in posts will be dry tomorrow.

Yvanka nearly jumped out of her skin this morning as she passed one of the open doors to the cellar and a snake was dashing off. She said he was very big. How do I trap a snake I don't want to kill it just get it out. Dougie won't go near it and the neighbours will kill it. Someone said try canfar balls Does anyone know the word for canfar balls in Bulgarian please

Snakes...camphor balls are one way, but if you want a quicker and easier method, try those incence sticks which are sold in almost every market place in Bulgaria. Light five or six in the cellar and close the door...the smoke and smell will fill the room and get into every little cavity and space...snakes hate it, as do various other unwanted vistors.

You might have to repeat the exercise a couple of times...but it WILL work!


Your cellar will always smell fantastic!

justbazz wrote:

Snakes...camphor balls are one way, but if you want a quicker and easier method, try those incence sticks which are sold in almost  every market place in Bulgaria. Light five or six in the cellar and close the door...the smoke and smell will fill the room and get into every little cavity and space...snakes hate it, as do various other unwanted vistors.

You might have to repeat the exercise a couple of times...but it WILL work!


Your cellar will always smell fantastic!  

Brilliant thanks a million Bazz will get some of them when we next go to town.